Barbara Jean Murdock

Barbara Jean Smith Murdock was born in Mansfield, Ohio on March 21, 1953, and passed away at OSU Medical Center on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Barb graduated from Mansfield Madison High School, earned her undergraduate degree in three years from Otterbein College and received her master's degree from The Ohio State University.

For 38 years, Barb excelled in various administrative positions in the Gahanna Jefferson School System. By far, her most rewarding position was the fourteen years she spent as the principal of Chapelfield Elementary School, where her kind and nurturing leadership was a positive influence on students and staff alike.

Barbara Jean enjoyed a wide variety of passions in her private life. At the top of her list was travel, both in the United States and throughout Europe. She raced sports cars, hiked thousands of miles, was a certified personal trainer, a scuba diver, and an avid reader.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Carlton and Donna Smith.

Barb is survived by her husband and best friend of 46 years, Ron Murdock; her daughters, Karen Jean Murdock of Columbus, Georgia and Tami (Rick) Story of Smiths Station, Alabama; her brother, Thomas Smith and sister-in-law, Debbie Smith of Dayton, Ohio; and her nephew, Alex Smith of Dayton, Ohio.

In keeping with her wishes a memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. at Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, 637 North State Route 61, Sunbury, Ohio 43074.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at

Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, Sunbury, Ohio is honored to serve the Murdock family. Please visit www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com to share a memory and leave an online condolence.